Lindsey Vonn World Cup Victory 83 / GEPA pictures
What a sensational start to the season for Lindsey Vonn. The American star won the first of two women’s World Cup downhills in St. Moritz on Friday by almost a full second. It marked her 83rd career World Cup victory and her first in nearly eight years.
Behind the 41-year-old HEAD Worldcup Rebel, teammate Magdalena Egger delivered an outstanding performance to finish second, celebrating the first World Cup podium of her career.
“Lindsey Vonn’s run was awesome, especially on the section that is so smooth to ski. That was the Aksel effect in action. It proves to me that she has grown even stronger since Aksel Lund Svindal joined the team. I am also very pleased with Magdalena Egger’s performance,” said HEAD Racing Director Rainer Salzgeber.
“Lindsey can achieve anything she wants now. She is back at the level where she can win races. The snow and weather conditions were perfect for everyone today, and she went out and took the victory. As long as she stays fit, everything is possible for her.”
“I Was Surprised by the Huge Lead”
In the first women’s speed event of the season, Vonn crossed the line 98 hundredths of a second ahead of Egger. The victory was her 44th World Cup downhill win and her second downhill triumph in St. Moritz. Her previous World Cup victory came on March 14, 2018, when she won the downhill in Åre.
“I was surprised to see such a huge lead when I crossed the finish line,” said Vonn. “I thought I had made a couple of mistakes. Over the jump, I flew a long way. I wasn’t sure before the race that I was 100 percent on form, but it was enough. I need the feeling that my body does what I want it to do, and that the skis help me do that. So many people have said that I wouldn’t manage it, but as a team we have a superb rhythm and have continued to build on it.”
First World Cup Podium for Magdalena Egger
Magdalena Egger also had every reason to celebrate. In just her seventh World Cup downhill start, the 24-year-old Austrian claimed second place and her first career podium. Her previous best World Cup result was 18th place in the downhill in Kvitfjell in March 2025.
“I am speechless,” said Egger. “I really enjoyed skiing this run. I skied the course the way I planned to ski it. It’s great that I can trust my skiing and the equipment, and that everything worked out so well.”
HEAD enjoyed a strong team result overall, placing six Worldcup Rebels inside the top ten:
- Emma Aicher (GER) – 5th
- Cornelia Hütter (AUT) – 6th
- Laura Pirovano (ITA) – 9th
- Nina Ortlieb (AUT) – 10th
Additional World Cup points were scored by:
- Ariane Rädler (AUT) – 11th
- Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) – 19th
- Lena Wechner (AUT) – 20th (bib 40)
- Keely Cashman (USA) – 24th (bib 45)
- Cande Moreno (AND) – 26th (bib 51)
- Allison Mollin (USA) – 27th (bib 53)
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